Bowel

BOWEL ELIMINATION — QUIZLET IMPORT VERSION

Defecation ✦ The act of passing feces through the rectum and anus. Encourage regular toileting schedule and privacy.

Peristalsis ✦ Wavelike muscle contractions that move food and waste through the GI tract. Assess bowel sounds; hypoactive sounds may indicate constipation.

Constipation ✦ Hard, dry, and infrequent stools due to slowed GI motility. Encourage fluids, fiber, ambulation, and stool softeners.

Diarrhea ✦ Increased frequency and liquidity of stool. Monitor for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Flatulence ✦ Gas accumulation in the GI tract causing bloating or discomfort. Teach to avoid gas-forming foods and encourage walking.

Ostomy ✦ Surgically created opening in the abdomen for stool elimination. Assess stoma color and teach pouch care.

Stoma ✦ Visible part of the ostomy on the abdomen. Observe for skin breakdown and apply barrier creams if needed.

Main sections of the GI tract ✦ Upper GI: mouth → esophagus → stomach → duodenum; Lower GI: small intestine → large intestine → anus.

Function of the large intestine ✦ Absorbs water/electrolytes, forms and stores feces, expels feces.

Vitamins synthesized by intestinal bacteria ✦ Vitamin K and B-complex vitamins.

Peristalsis frequency ✦ Occurs every 3–12 minutes; mass sweeps occur 1–4 times per day.

Reflex that stimulates peristalsis after eating ✦ Gastrocolic reflex.

Bowel health history questions ✦ Ask about normal habits, diet, medications, stress, pain, and last bowel movement.

Normal bowel sound frequency ✦ 5–30 per minute.

Normal abdominal palpation finding ✦ Soft and non-tender.

Black (tarry) stool indicates ✦ Melena (possible GI bleeding).

Clay-colored stool indicates ✦ Bile obstruction.

Normal stool characteristics ✦ Brown, soft, formed, moist, cylindrical, odor affected by diet.

Recommended daily fiber intake ✦ 20–35 grams per day.

Recommended daily fluid intake ✦ 2–3 liters per day unless restricted.

Purpose of ambulation for bowel health ✦ Stimulates peristalsis.

Why maintain a toileting routine ✦ Supports regular bowel habits.

Why avoid long-term laxative use ✦ Can decrease natural bowel function.

Causes of constipation ✦ Decreased motility, low fiber, inactivity, medications (opioids).

Nursing care for constipation ✦ Encourage fluids, fiber, stool softeners, privacy, and activity.

Causes of diarrhea ✦ Infection, food intolerance, antibiotics, anxiety.

Nursing care for diarrhea ✦ Identify cause, rehydrate, monitor electrolytes, bland diet.

Causes of flatulence ✦ Air swallowing, high-fiber foods, immobility.

Bowel incontinence definition ✦ Loss of voluntary control of fecal output.

Nursing care for bowel incontinence ✦ Hygiene, schedule toileting, apply skin barriers.

Fecal impaction definition ✦ Hardened stool mass in rectum.

Nursing care for fecal impaction ✦ Digital removal, enemas, prevent with fiber and fluids.

Nursing diagnoses related to bowel elimination ✦ Constipation, Risk for Constipation, Perceived Constipation, Diarrhea, Bowel Incontinence, Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity.

Desired outcomes of bowel elimination ✦ Soft, formed stool without straining, regular pattern, intact skin.

Bowel diversion (ostomy) definition ✦ Surgical opening in the intestine to the abdominal wall to divert stool.

Indications for an ostomy ✦ Cancer, trauma, IBD, bowel obstruction, injury.

Ileostomy location and stool type ✦ Ileum (small intestine); liquid stool with continuous output.

Colostomy location and stool type ✦ Colon (large intestine); stool consistency depends on site (ascending = liquid, descending = formed).

J-Pouch (IPAA) definition ✦ Small intestine pouch attached to anus; no stoma required.

Healthy stoma appearance ✦ Pink, moist, round.

Pale or blue stoma indicates ✦ Inadequate blood flow — report immediately.

When to empty ostomy pouch ✦ When 1/3 full.

When to change ostomy pouch ✦ Every 3–7 days.

Foods to avoid for odor control ✦ Eggs, cabbage, beans, fish.

Why hydration is critical for ileostomy ✦ High fluid loss increases dehydration risk.

Ostomy patient teaching ✦ Pouch care, self-management, activity modifications, odor control, reassurance about intimacy.